Christopher Columbus's initial reason for his journey to the New World was to find a western sea route to Asia. During the 15th century, Europeans were searching for alternative trade routes to Asia, particularly for valuable spices like pepper, nutmeg, and cloves. As the overland routes were controlled by the Ottoman Empire, Columbus believed that by sailing west, he could reach Asia and establish direct trade relations with the Indies, as the region was known at the time.
The initial reason for Christopher Columbus's journey to the New World was to find a western route to Asia in order to establish trade links and to seek new opportunities for wealth and power. At that time, trade with Asia was highly profitable but the traditional overland routes were dangerous and costly, so Columbus proposed reaching Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic Ocean.
